Conferment Ceremony and cannon salutes on 26 January 2024

Cannon in front of old building.

The cannon salutes in connection with conferment ceremonies are audible across much of Uppsala. In view of this, it is desirable to help prepare Uppsala residents for the cannon fire on 26 January 2024. Photo: David Naylor.

The University’s Spring Conferment Ceremony for new doctoral graduates will take place on Friday 26 January 2024. The Conferment Ceremony in the Grand Auditorium will be accompanied by cannon salutes. Please spread the word about the cannon salutes so that as many people as possible are prepared for the noise.

The Doctoral Degree Conferment Ceremony celebrates everyone who has completed their PhD during the year. It takes place twice a year: the Winter Conferment Ceremony at the end of January and the Spring Conferment Ceremony at the end of May/beginning of June.

The conferment ceremonies are noticeable across much of Uppsala as cannon salutes are a traditional part of the celebrations. Though it is unclear exactly when the tradition arose, cannon salutes have been fired since at least the early 19th century.

Spread the word about the cannon salutes

The cannon salutes are audible across much of Uppsala, depending on the wind and the weather. Unfortunately the cannon fire leads many people to contact the police and other authorities to ask what is going on.

The University tries to reach the general public by all available means to inform and remind residents about the cannon salutes. However, it is difficult to reach everyone and easy to forget that the cannons will be firing.

If you have a chance, please spread the word to friends, relatives, colleagues and others – tell them cannon salutes will be fired in Uppsala on 26 January 2024.

Two sessions

The first cannon salute is fired from the Castle, beside the northern tower, at seven o’clock in the morning. The number of shots reveals the number of faculties and honorary doctors participating in the ceremony that day.

Later, salutes are fired in the afternoon, from cannons standing by the south gable of the University Main Building. The salutes are fired at specific points in the Conferment Ceremony and come at irregular intervals between about 12:45 and 15:00.

Come to the Conferment Ceremony

Anyone interested is welcome to attend the Conferment Ceremony in the Grand Auditorium. Tickets can be collected free of charge outside the Grand Auditorium from 10:00 on the day of the Conferment Ceremony, 26 January 2024.

Anders Berndt

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